Hospital stay - what else do I need ?

[BeaLola]

I am going into Hospital next week for surgery. I am likely to be in for at least 3 days perhaps a couple more.

I am trying to organise what I take with me (new unit so I will have my own room but still not lots of storage room)

So far I am thinking;

Pjs - have bought thin jersey M&S in next size + cotton vests and pants
Socks in case cold
Flip hoops for walking to bathroom etc
Dressing gown (thin )
Pashmina size scarf that I usually use for plane trips in case I get cold
Hand sanitiser
Toiletries - small sizes from Advent calendars etc inc shampoo, soap, body lotion (have dry skin), deodorant
Tissues
Extra long charging lead and plug
Kindle
Phone
£20 in case I can need to buy tea/coffee from outlets
Boiled sweets

As you can see being minimalist isn't in my DNA !

TIA

Snacks - breakfast bars/biscuits/fruit
Bottled water
Pen & puzzle/crossword book if you get fed up of screen time
Basic toothbrush & paste

And good luck, hope all goes well.

If you can, I would also take a power pack so you can use it charge you your kindle/phone/tablet. I know you are planning on an extra long cable, but it still might not be long enough.

I took a pack of the anti bac wipes in with me to wipe over the bedside table before I ate.

Hairbrush and hair clips/ bands

Towels and flannel

Hope it all goes well, best of luck

Thank you all - really good suggestions

Water bottle
Phone stand
Bath towel
Snacks
Pens and notebook (Incase you think of anything you want to ask or need to jot down.)
Hairbrush, hair ties
Big jumper for sitting up in bed.

Lip balm. I found it really warm with dry air when I had a stay in hospital and my lips kept getting chapped from licking them an awful lot.

All good suggested. I would add eye mask and ear plugs!

Veteran here!

Do NOT forget earphones and eye mask. Lights are on all the time even in your own room.

I use a soft fleece jacket and PJs, never used a dressing gown. So easy to use getting on and off trolleys and in and out of bed/chair and keeping warm lying in bed. Feels like "normal" clothes with PJ bottoms, and handy when doing the post op physio.

Notepad and pen.

Everything else is what you'd bring on a weekend/overnight stay.

Hope all goes well for you.

Baby wipes, face wipes. If you can’t get out of bed easily you can have a bit of a wash.
Hand cream

I take my phone holder for watching TV etc. It's a clip on the end of a bendable 60cm pole, with a phone clip on the other end. I clip it to the side of the bed and can watch box sets etc. Also make sure plenty of data!

water bottle (and squash if you don't like water)
insulated cup for hot drinks
dry shampoo
face wipes

Face moisturiser.

A bottle of squash.

Magazines.

I have been in hospital quite a bit and they like you to mobilise as soon as you can. So comfy joggers, vest and zipper (obviously depends on the surgery etc.)

Depends on age / circumstances but I would take sanitary towels. If you get caught out, hospital ones are grim.

Headphones and/or ear plugs.

Face spritz.

Dry shampoo.

I was in hospital recently for a couple of weeks (unplanned stay).

I was surprised that a member of staff told me not to worry about PJs as the hospital have a huge supply and can give you a clean pair every day.

I think she could tell my husband was struggling with working full time, the kids and hospital visits etc. She didn't want him to have to keep washing and bringing clean pyjamas to the hospital!

Decent tea bags and a cup with a lid for making yourself a decent cuppa (as long as you'll be mobile!)

I'm surprised people take bath towels to hospital. What would you do with a damp towel. Remember storage is limited much easier to use there's an bung it in the wash.

I would echo face moisturiser and Vaseline. My skin got horrendously dry.

Earphones are good, and you might have difficulty getting Wi-Fi, so download plenty of books on the kindle.

A small face wash is good for freshening up too.

My mum is in hospital for surgery very often; she ALWAYS takes without fail:

• face wipes
• moisturising cream
• earphones
• hairbrush
• deodorant
• dressing gown & slippers

These are the things that will keep you feeling somewhat fresh!
Xo

Another veteran here!

Remember to take all your usual medication in the original boxes/packets plus the list of repeat prescription items from your GP. I don't bother with towels as they have loads. I always take a couple of bags for life/carrier bags, that way you can put any soiled item in there separate from the rest of your stuff to bring home.

Hoping everything goes well X

Having just spent 3 days in hospital unexpectedly I will 💯 say earplugs & eye mask, also snacks as the food pretty sparse and a few times they forgot to give me any lunch, I was so hungry 🤣

Slippers or slipper socks
Pen and paper
Vasaline or lip balm?

Good luck!

Bless you. I think the other posters have covered everything..am just sending you my good wishes 💕

I second a power bank. If you have time a USB splitter too. I had a side room and the plugs was broken so I could only use one plug. I charged my iPad and power bank via the splitter. Also the bathroom was full of wheelchairs and comodes so you couldn't use the shower. I used to sneak into the next ward but then got told off so some baby wipes. Everyone else was having washes by the beds but I wanted to wash in the bathroom. I could use a baby wipe like a flannel then bin it.

A big hoodie or cardi as you get a lot of Drs etc talking to you and it made me feel a bit less vulnerable. Also I could shuffle around the hospital for a walk. Go to the shop etc. Go outside for air.

Plastic bags for your dirty kit. Also fold up a bag for life as somehow you seem to leave with more than you go in with. Some headphones and light reading. Any prescription meds and maybe some pain killers as you have to wait for the drugs trolly or beg busy nurses if you get a headache.

I think I have had too many stays as well!

I could not shower so I sent DH to get me some dry shampoo. My hair is very oily so it was looking horrible and it brought me down.

I really relied on my Audible books to calm me and block out the noise which could get very bad.